§ MR. W. J. CORBETasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been called to the Report of the Intermediate Education Board for Ireland for the year 1880 just issued, in which it is stated that—
While the large and progressive increase in the number of candidates presenting themselves at the intermediate examinations, which is especially noticeable in the case of girls, affords a gratifying proof of the popularity and success of this scheme of education, nevertheless the increased expenditure, consequent on the increased number of examinees, occasions the Board considerable apprehension of financial difficulties;whether he has noticed the passages of the Report in which the Board state that, unless further sums are placed at their disposal, it will become necessary to diminish the number and amount of their rewards, and lower the scale of results fees, and—That the expenses connected with the holding of those examinations cannot be materially diminished without seriously marring their efficiency;and, whether, with a view to prevent such a result, he will take immediate stops to place additional funds at the disposal of the Board?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERsuggested that the hon. Member had mistaken the Irish Secretary for the Chancellor of the Exchequer. It was not in his power to place additional funds at the disposal of the Intermediate Education Board; and he thought, considering the large sum of money given in 1878 out of the Church Surplus Funds, that it was rather too soon to apply for a further grant.
§ MR. W. J. CORBETobserved, that he had only asked the right hon. Gentleman to take steps to provide additional funds. He presumed that the right hon. Gentleman would not think it right to risk the failure of the whole scheme for want of adequate funds.